by John M » 01 May 2010, 11:05
Instead of using the 12AX7 in the pre amp stage, they have used it in the power amp side in conjunction with a pure clean transistor amp, this gives you 2 big differences. Firstly the valve sound is far more accurate than anything before it and secondly the volume is now equal to the real valve amp, so a 30watt delivers the power you get from an all valve AC30, and that is plenty loud enough for gigging'.
As far as I'm aware the the AX7 valve has always been used in this way in the valvetronix amps.
The valve behaves as an output/power valve and this is then sent to a supposedly transparent transistor power amp to boost it to final listening levels.
From memory, I think the 12AX7 when used in this way is capable of producing around 1 watt audio output.
The pre-amp stages have always been solid state.